Muscle-bound beach? Siesta project may have outgrown public support

Published: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 1:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, November 12, 2012 at 7:14 p.m.

In August, Sarasota County Commissioner Nora Patterson said she had "sticker shock" after learning that the cost of Siesta Beach Park improvements had risen to $24 million.

She was not alone. Other commissioners have questioned the cost and scope of the project, and so have leaders of Siesta Key businesses and neighborhood groups.

The questions will multiply and the sticker shock is likely to intensify now that the cost is estimated at $27 million.

The public will have an opportunity to pose questions to county staff members -- and the design and engineering firm -- working on the project during a public meeting from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. tonight. (The "open-house-style" session will be conducted at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 5394 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key.)

A county press release said the staff, designers and engineers will answer questions about the 60 percent of the plan that has been completed. The press release stated that the Sarasota County Commission approved a "preliminary design plan in September 2011 but noted: "The project has continued to evolve with input from the commission and the public."

Whether the plan has evolved enough, or too much, should be a key topic tonight and in subsequent discussions by the County Commission.

There is little political or public doubt about some of the project's goals, such as expanding and renovating the public parking lot near Siesta Public Beach, and improving restroom facilities and concession areas.

But there has been a lack of consensus over the scope of the package -- with features such as an esplanade walkway, playground and a "history wall" -- that add to the costs.

And while there is general agreement that Siesta's sugar-white sands should be complemented by suitable public amenities, there are disagreements over the scale and price of the project.

Based on the comments of some Siesta neighborhood leaders, the following questions should be answered by county staff, the private-sector firm and commissioners:

• Does the proposed project meet stated public-policy goals?

• Are all the components necessary and justifiable based on costs?

• Why have the costs risen from $8 million (the original estimate for a modest plan) to $27 million?

• Who called for the enhancements and still supports them?

The County Commission has long intended, appropriately, to fund the Siesta project with revenue from the local sales tax. However, revenue for only a portion of the estimated cost is on hand, creating the potential for the county to issue bonds.

Experience has shown that, when local governments plan to borrow money, clarity of purpose and demonstrated value are vital for building favorable consensus. The Siesta Beach Park plan may be 60 percent complete, but Sarasota County has a long way to go toward gaining public support.

<p>In August, Sarasota County Commissioner Nora Patterson said she had "sticker shock" after learning that the cost of Siesta Beach Park improvements had risen to $24 million.</p><p>She was not alone. Other commissioners have questioned the cost and scope of the project, and so have leaders of Siesta Key businesses and neighborhood groups.</p><p>The questions will multiply and the sticker shock is likely to intensify now that the cost is estimated at $27 million.</p><p>The public will have an opportunity to pose questions to county staff members -- and the design and engineering firm -- working on the project during a public meeting from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. tonight. (The "open-house-style" session will be conducted at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 5394 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key.)</p><p>A county press release said the staff, designers and engineers will answer questions about the 60 percent of the plan that has been completed. The press release stated that the Sarasota County Commission approved a "preliminary design plan in September 2011 but noted: "The project has continued to evolve with input from the commission and the public."</p><p>Whether the plan has evolved enough, or too much, should be a key topic tonight and in subsequent discussions by the County Commission.</p><p>There is little political or public doubt about some of the project's goals, such as expanding and renovating the public parking lot near Siesta Public Beach, and improving restroom facilities and concession areas.</p><p>But there has been a lack of consensus over the scope of the package -- with features such as an esplanade walkway, playground and a "history wall" -- that add to the costs.</p><p>And while there is general agreement that Siesta's sugar-white sands should be complemented by suitable public amenities, there are disagreements over the scale and price of the project.</p><p>Based on the comments of some Siesta neighborhood leaders, the following questions should be answered by county staff, the private-sector firm and commissioners:</p><p> Does the proposed project meet stated public-policy goals?</p><p> Are all the components necessary and justifiable based on costs?</p><p> Why have the costs risen from $8 million (the original estimate for a modest plan) to $27 million?</p><p> Who called for the enhancements and still supports them?</p><p>The County Commission has long intended, appropriately, to fund the Siesta project with revenue from the local sales tax. However, revenue for only a portion of the estimated cost is on hand, creating the potential for the county to issue bonds.</p><p>Experience has shown that, when local governments plan to borrow money, clarity of purpose and demonstrated value are vital for building favorable consensus. The Siesta Beach Park plan may be 60 percent complete, but Sarasota County has a long way to go toward gaining public support.</p>